He released his debut album in September 1999, Euphoria Morning. Later, in 2001, he began the supergroup Audioslave with the former members of Rage Against the Machine. Cornell recorded three albums as Audioslave's singer until the band's breakup in early 2007. His second solo album Carry On was released to mixed commercial success in June 2007.

Cornell was also the singer in a band, Temple of the Dog, that was formed as a tribute to a musician, Andrew Wood, who had died.[4]

Cornell was found dead at his Detroit, Michigan hotel room shortly after performing at a concert on May 17, 2017 at the age of 52.[5] The cause of death was determined to be suicide by hanging.[6][7]

He then married Vicky Karayiannis.[9] She is an American publicist of Greek heritage. She gave birth to his second daughter, Toni, in September 2004, and his third child, Christopher Nicholas, in December 2005.[10] Cornell converted to the Greek Orthodox Church because of her faith in the church.[11]